Christmas Week of Giving | Swansea City and Cwtsh Clos host Christmas Memory Tree
Swansea City head coach Luke Williams and lounge host Mal Pope joined with Joe Allen, Josh Key and Josh Tymon to show support for the Swansea Bay Health Charity Cwtsh Clos appeal Christmas Memory Tree campaign.
The Swans partnered with Cwtsh Clos - the club's charity of the year - to host a Christmas Memory Tree in the club shop.
The memory tree gives people who have sadly lost loved ones – particularly those who have lost children in infancy – to remember them this Christmas with a personalised bauble which will hang on the tree.
The wooden baubles were designed and created by Stephen Hughes of Grumpies Crafts. He donated them free of charge to the campaign as the charity is one that is close to his heart. His granddaughter Eryn's bauble hangs on the tree.
Supporters and those across the community who wish to have one of the baubles are asked to make a suggested minimum donation of £3 to the charity before ordering.
Baubles are still available to order via the link below and in-person at the club shop until January 4 (the day of Swansea City's home match against West Bromwich Albion). All baubles will be sent out once the tree is removed from the shop, so supporters can keep them for years to come.
The tree itself was donated by Gower Fresh Christmas Trees with Allen, Key and Tymon travelling to choose their favourite from the wide selection on offer – and have a little look around the Swansea Winter Wonderland based on the site.
Pope, who sadly lost his grandson Gulliver in infancy, is an ambassador for Cwtsh Clos and added Gulliver’s name to the tree. You can find out more about what the charity means to him HERE.
Williams played his part by hanging the baubles on the memory tree on behalf of the Jack Army.
“This tree is such a special gesture, and the football club is such a special part of people’s lives and families so I think for them to be remembered here makes sense," said the head coach.
"I hope people enjoy seeing this beautiful tree with the decorations which are so well done and so classy.
"The feel and design of them is beautiful. They’re perfect for this type of memorial.
"The players and myself should be involved in the community. Other people have got involved and donated beautiful objects to create this tree and we want to be part of that, and we’re happy to be involved."
Cathy Stevens, community support charity office at the Swansea Bay Health Charity, added: "We heard about a Swans supporter who wanted a lasting legacy for his child and we thought about this Christmas tree so that people can remember their loved ones.
"It makes it special that all the baubles were made by a friend of mine, Stephen, and he has made all these for free so it’s 100 per cent profit for the charity, which is incredible.
"Stephen’s granddaughter sadly passed away – her name is Eryn – and that is part of the reason why he wanted to support this charity. He’s done it all in own time.
"We’ve had lovely comments from people who’ve been to the shop, and I’m delighted with how it’s come out.
"Cwtsh Clos and Swansea City is just such a great partnership and it is going from strength to strength.”